Best place to live as an expat

Spain

Roughy 761,000 Brits live in Spain, making it one of the most popular countries for UK expats. People flock there for the warm weather, stunning coastline, and relatively low cost of living by European standards.

Living in Spain also allows you to remain within the Schengen Area and the introduction of its Digital Nomad Visa means that you can now reside in Spain while working for a company based in the UK. Cheap rent, delicious cuisine, rich culture and a high standard of living make Spain very inviting.

Best places for expats to live in Spain

You have some wonderful cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Sevilla, which are all excellent choices to call home. The Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol regions are also incredibly popular among UK expats.

Australia

Australia claims the top spot in terms of having the most British expats living on its shores. Approximately 1,262,204 Brits live in the land down under and are attracted to Australia’s warm climate and excellent work-life balance. In many professions, you can earn a lot more in Australia and job opportunities are plentiful.

Best places for expats to live in Australia

Sydney and Melbourne used to be the two main players when it came to attracting UK expats, although cities like Perth, Canberra and Brisbane have all caught up. Decisions are often made based on job opportunities and what kind of lifestyle you want to lead.

Portugal

60,000 UK expats currently live in Portugal. This may seem small compared to some other countries, but the number is rapidly increasing. Expats can expect stunning coastlines, incredible cuisine and rich history, as well as very friendly and hospitable locals.

Portugal is one of the most accessible countries for UK residents to move to, which is largely thanks to the Portugal Golden Visa.

Best places for expats to live in Portugal

Lisbon has become a popular destination for UK expats, especially among millennials now working remotely abroad. Porto is another popular choice. However, Portugal’s southernmost region, the Algarve, is still the most popular area for expats.

Cyprus

With its Mediterranean climate and low cost of living, Cyprus has been attracting UK expats for years. An estimated 59,000 Brits now live in Cyprus, which continues to be a massive draw as the majority of Cypriots speak good English.

To become a permanent resident in Cyprus, you will need to invest €300,000 or more in business or property.

Best places for expats to live in Cyprus

The best cities for expats looking for places to live include Paphos, Limassol, Nicosia and Larnaca. As a whole, anywhere coastal is always a favoured choice among expat communities.

Malta

If you enjoy a Mediterranean climate, a high standard of living and being surrounded by a beautiful coastline, then Malta could well be the place for you. There are various attractive schemes to entice expats looking to invest their money abroad wisely, including the Malta Global Residence Programme.

Best places for expats to live in Malta

St Julians, Silema, Valletta and Ta Xbiex are all hugely popular areas to call home. For this reason, prices here generally tend to be higher than elsewhere on the island, which may become a factor for those on a budget.

USA

Behind Australia, the USA is the second-favourite destination for UK expats, with approximately 716,260 Brits living across the pond. Many expats pursue the American dream for both professional and lifestyle reasons, and the transition involved with living abroad is made much easier by speaking the same language.

Best places for expats to live in the USA

Florida and California offer plenty of sun and appealing climates, while cities like New York and Chicago offer the hustle and bustle that city slickers crave. Whatever your preference, you are certainly spoilt for choice in the USA, with UK expats dotted all over the country.

UAE

Many expats looking for the best place to live in the world now find the UAE at the top of their list. An estimated 55,000 Brits now call the UAE home, most of whom are professionals wanting to capitalise on the financial rewards of working in one of the world’s main business hubs. It’s also a bit of a tax haven, as income, capital gains, properties and inheritance are all exempt from taxation.

Best places for expats to live in the UAE

Dubai is the best place for UK expats to live. Here, Brits can enjoy warm weather, a strong economy with plenty of job opportunities and an active outdoor lifestyle when it’s not too hot.

Canada

The fourth-highest number of UK expats living inside its borders, with roughly 531,584 Brits calling Canada home. Excellent education, quality of life, welcoming communities and stunning outdoor scenery are just some of the main reasons why people choose to live in Canada as an expat.

Best places for expats to live in Canada

Canada is incredibly vast and has living options that cater to just about all tastes. For scenic views and beautiful countryside on your doorstep, Vancouver could be the place for you. Whereas if you are career driven and want to enjoy the buzz of a major city, then Toronto ticks all of the right boxes.

France

Located just on the other side of the Channel, France is an excellent option for expats who want a place to live outside of the UK that’s not too far away. 200,000 UK expats live in France, which places it inside the top 10 places that Brits call home. Obvious perks include excellent food and wine at your disposal, but the French are also known for enjoying a healthy work-life balance.

Best places for expats to live in France

Paris is the obvious choice, but southern France is hot on its heels for attracting UK expats, especially those that are winding down and looking to retire. In the south, you can enjoy beautiful weather, delightful cuisine and picturesque rural towns. In terms of cities, Lyon, Bordeaux and Toulouse can all rival Paris.

Greece

The final best place for UK expats to live on our list. Greece has long been a favourite holiday destination among Brits. Cheap living costs, warm weather, stunning islands and a relaxed approach to life are all wonderful reasons for choosing Greece.

The Greece Golden Visa Programme requires at least a €400,000 investment in order to obtain a Greece residence permit and allows visa-free access to the rest of the EU after two months of applying.

Best places for expats to live in Greece

Where do we start? Crete, Corfu and Mykonos are all hugely popular islands with UK expats. Alternatively, the mainland also offers plenty of amazing locations to call home, meaning you really are spoilt for choice in Greece.